Stability key, say experts, as Shamila Batohi starts as NPA boss

01 February 2019 - 06:27
By Ernest Mabuza

Shamila Batohi starts her job as national director of public prosecutions on Friday.
Image:
Masi Losi

Justice minister Michael Masutha will introduce new national director of public prosecutions Shamila Batohi to her staff on Friday, and experts say bringing stability to the organisation must be high on her agenda.

Batohi begins her 10-year fixed term on Friday at the NPA’s Pretoria headquarters.

Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution executive secretary Lawson Naidoo said among Batohi’s main tasks would be restoring morale and confidence among her staff, and supporting them in doing their jobs.

“She must be there to ensure that they are able to perform their constitutional duty,” Naidoo said.

He said whether deputy national director of public prosecutions Nomgcobo Jiba should be charged with perjury in connection with the matter relating to former KwaZulu-Natal Hawks boss Johan Booysen was one of many issues Batohi needed to deal with.